Hamler post office operating with shorter hours

HAMLER — Hamler’s post office began operating on shorter hours today. It is a change that will be coming to most rural post offices, soon.

“Everything is going great,” said a Hamler postal worker. “At least the post office is still here.”

Hours have been cut over the lunch hour and at the end of the day.

Hamler’s post office is now open between 8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. The post office is then open between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.

Lobby hours, for those needing access to post office boxes, are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lobby hours on Saturday are from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. The post office is closed on Sunday.

There are other options.

David Van Allen, from the U.S. Postal Service’s corporate communications staff, said the limited hours are an alternative to closing small post offices, In recent weeks, communities have been surveyed on their preferences.

Options include reduced hours or close the office and offer either curbside delivery, a village post office or post office box service at a nearby post office.